Not All Stretching In Our Lives Is For OUR Good

I get tired of being stretched.  I “get” that whole, “It’s not about you or your comfort” thing. I realize God often likes to take us out of our comfort zones so He can grow us.

I understand that and I’ve seen that happen on many occasions. But it seems to me, that there is also another way the pendulum can swing….an unhealthy way.

People can say that our stretching and being taken outside of our comfort zones is good for us. They can say that we will grow character. And sometimes that may be true. But I also think that, well, sometimes it may not.

Sometimes being stretched means that we need to make changes in our life. Sometimes being tugged and pulled often outside of our comfort zones may mean we are not living withing the God-given “bent” that we were created with. Sometimes, it may simply mean others are taking us for granted.

Stretching CAN be good. We can do things we never thought we could do. But stretching also, can break us. There are certain things in life, that when they are stretched too often or too far, they snap. I think that can happen with people too.

It’s important to know what we are capable of. What are our limitations? Where do boundaries need to be placed in our lives? What do we do when things feel out of our control? Do we have people in our circles of influence who look out for us, and our welfare, or do they push us to do things that THEY are comfortable with?

I think often, the best way to be stretched is when we are motivated to allow ourselves to be stretched – never when it is forced upon us. Yes, we can learn during those times, as well, but often, they aren’t the catalyst to push us to become stronger and better. We have to want that and desire that for ourselves, first.

If you are living in a period of being stretched, maybe it’s time to take a good look at where and why the stretching is happening. Are you working towards a goal or is their purpose in it? Do you just put up with what is going on? How can you be better from it?

We can’t always be comfortable in our lives. But we can make choices to put ourselves in positions where our best side shines forth, and usually some kind of comfort level comes with that.

We are who we are for a reason and we need to be comfortable with that. 

Sometimes a lot of stretching and pulling in our life is just needless and works against who we are and who we were MEANT to be.

It’s up to us to have the discerning eye to know the difference.